Boat accidents really do happen

[Shawnmoore81 623]

Well I guess those stories of guns getting lost in boating accidents really do happen. Also.... How come I never find stuff like this.

 

Anyone lose their AR-15 during an unfortunate “boating accident” recently? No really, did anyone lose an AR? Someone on Reddit posted about an AR-15 that was found while fishing at Red Hill Dam in Pennsylvania. It’s a pretty nice AR too, from another Redditor’s post in the thread:

 

The rifle itself is a base-model E-series (thanks sh3llsh0ck!) Ruger SR-556. Considering the handguard, upper receiver, and lower receiver are all comprised of aluminum, it’s no surprise that it looks so clean. The rust evident on the barrel and gas block is significant enough to suggest that the rifle is probably ruined permanently (without replacing most of the components other than the receivers). It’s hard to say exactly how long it’s been submerged, but I’d put money on a period of a few weeks to a month or two, at the most.

 

The optics on top are an EOTech EXPS3 and an EOTech G33 Magnifier. Both optics are likely ruined: water damage to the electronics in the EXPS3 is virtually guaranteed, the magnifier likely suffered some degree of rust and/or containment failure of the tube (full of water). EOTech rates both optics are waterproof to 33 feet, but it’s likely been under more water than that…and if it’s been long enough to develop rust, they probably leaked over time as well.

 

Aside from the optics, the rifle has a one-point bungee sling of indeterminate make (Condor? Blackhawk?), a 30rd Gen 2 non-windowed PMag, and Mako T-POD G2 vertical grip/bipod.

 

It should also be noted that there is a very unusual amount of wear evident on the side edges of the EOTech, and along the side of the aluminum handguard rail segment. That wear is not consistent with any form of normal use that I’m familiar with, and is completely inconsistent with the relatively unworn condition of the rest of the rifle. It may indicate that the rifle slid down a steep embankment of stone or concrete, or was otherwise dragged for some distance across such a surface.

 

Were the rifle in new condition, it would be worth between $2500-3000 as configured. In all probability there is very little in that picture capable of being salvaged.

 

I bet with a little bit of CLP, a couple runs down the barrel with a Boresnake and some new batteries for the EOTech it will function just fine.

 

 

 

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/07/23/ar-15-found-pa-lake-fishing/?utm_content=buffer32261&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[Shawnmoore81 623]

[Krdshrk 3,878]

That gives a whole new meaning to ARs being run wet....

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

They should run the serial by the local PD.  Betcha it was stolen.

[DeerSlayer 241]

I actually lost a barrel off a Mossberg 935 over the side of my Jon boat on the Musconetcong river. I looked for two days and drug huge magnets roofers use to pick up nails across the bottom. Never found it, could see to the bottom as well but the barrel was mossy oak cammo not highly visible on a weedy river bottom.

[Shawnmoore81 623]

If it was stolen why dump the eotechs

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

If it was stolen why dump the eotechs

 

You assume the thief had a measure of intelligence.  Not always a safe assumption.

[302w 83]

You see all of these stories of people restoring POS guns found somewhere, from digging up pre war handguns to barn find shotguns and grandpa's rifle he kept in a shed. I'd love to find some piece of junk and turn it into a shooter. Projects are fun.

[heaterbob 53]

is that the lure stuck in the sling

[diamondd817 828]

Nice catch.

[DaveR 42]

In Jersey you would have to throw it back for being illegal.

[Shawnmoore81 623]

In Jersey you would have to throw it back for being illegal.

I could see trying to explain it to a game warden that you found it.

[magnawing 5]

My guess is thrown out the window during a high speed run out of downtown Allentown or Philly....

[Sixtytwo327 14]

If it was stolen why dump the eotechs

When everything is free (stolen) nothing has value. Years ago my car was stolen and then recovered. The people who stole it actually swapped my factory wheels for these awful aftermarket chrome rims and put in a new radio - all stolen of course. They used it to do God knows what, then dumped it after a few days. Turns out this is common practice.

[Murphy4570 15]

Take the optics off, field strip the gun as best you can (or at least remove the upper from the lower receiver), and dunk everything metal into a bucket of Evaporust for a day or so. Presto-Chango! All the rust is gone, and with some motor oil or whatever you have lying around to lube the thing, it'd probably work again.